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Trumbo is a biographical drama directed by Jay Roach, and it tells the story of the American screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who was one of the Hollywood Ten, a group of filmmakers who were blacklisted for their alleged communist sympathies during the Red Scare of the 1950s. The movie stars Bryan Cranston as Dalton Trumbo, a man who was known for his leftist political views and his uncompromising stance on freedom of speech. The opening sequence features Trumbo in his bathtub, writing a screenplay with a pencil in his mouth. This sets the stage for the rest of the movie, which emphasizes Trumbo's tenacity, wit, and creativity.

The story is set in the late 1940s and early 1950s, during the height of the Cold War, when the US government was investigating and prosecuting anyone suspected of being a sympathizer of communism. Trumbo, who was a member of the Communist Party in the 1940s, was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) to testify, and he refused to answer any questions, citing his First Amendment rights.

As a result of his refusal to testify, Trumbo was thrown in jail and later blacklisted by Hollywood. He was unable to find work for many years, and his family suffered as a result. However, Trumbo did not give up. He continued to write screenplays under pseudonyms, and he even won two Academy Awards during this time, although he could not claim them.

The movie also explores the effect of the blacklist on Trumbo's family, including his wife Cleo (Diane Lane), his children, and his fellow screenwriters. It shows how difficult it was for them to survive during this time, and how determined they all were to persevere in the face of adversity.

Helen Mirren plays the role of Hedda Hopper, a powerful gossip columnist who was instrumental in destroying the careers of many Hollywood figures during the Red Scare. Mirren is brilliant in this role, bringing to life the viciousness and pettiness of Hopper's character.

Throughout the movie, Cranston delivers a mesmerizing performance as Trumbo. He captures the writer's wit, tenacity, and intellect, and he imbues the character with a sense of vulnerability that makes him more relatable to the audience. Cranston is completely convincing in the role, and he deservedly received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his work.

Overall, Trumbo is a thought-provoking and moving movie that explores an important part of American history. It is a tribute to Dalton Trumbo, a man who fought for his beliefs and refused to be silenced, even when it put his career and his family at risk. The movie is a must-see for anyone interested in history, politics, or cinema.

Trumbo is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 60.